HSS Signs Contract To Provide Consulting Services And Comprehensive APC Solution To Trinitas Hospital

HSS, Inc., (www.hssweb.com), which specializes in the development and use of software systems for managing coding, reimbursement and compliance in the healthcare marketplace, today announced it has signed a contract to provide both APC DIAGNOSTIC REVIEW(R) services and Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC)-related software to Trinitas Hospital (www.egmc.org).

"Trinitas has contracted with HSS for APC DIAGNOSTIC REVIEW(R) consulting services, as well as a suite of APC-related software," notes Bob Leary, CEO of HSS, Inc. "This contract validates the HSS approach linking software with a strong service component, which enhances our client's ability to maximize the value they obtain from HSS."

APC DIAGNOSTIC REVIEW(R) is a package of analytic, audit and educational services, which helps users comply with Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) regulations. It is a tool designed to help clients understand and deal with HCFA mandates and their effect on finances.

The range of consulting services to be provided to Trinitas Hospital is designed to help prepare the large New Jersey hospital system for the implementation of Medicare payments for hospital services to outpatients. As part of these consulting services, HSS experts will analyze historical claims with regard to data quality and estimate the financial impact under the proposed Medicare outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS). HSS staff will review the Charge Description Masters Trinitas currently uses, as well as recommend changes to ensure that billing of outpatient services is accurate and in compliance with regulatory standards.

HSS consultants will also evaluate Health Information Management (HIM) and billing systems, encounter forms and procedures, and they will recommend appropriate changes in light of the provisions of the Medicare OPPS. HSS will assist in redesigning, implementing, and testing Trinitas' documentation and forms requirements.

According to Frank Villares, Vice President of Finance, Trinitas Hospital, "Based on its findings, HSS will provide appropriate training and educational services to the management, employees, and medical staffs at Trinitas' two facilities. To support these sessions, HSS will also develop practical documentation tools, such as "Documentation Tips for Physicians" and "E/M Tips for ER and Clinic Staff."

About Trinitas Hospital

Trinitas Hospital is the result of the recent consolidation of Elizabeth General Medical Center (EGMC), a 400 bed healthcare facility, and St. Elizabeth Hospital, a 300 bed community hospital, both of which are located in Elizabeth, NJ. The combined facilities will provide more than 63,000 ER visits and more than 70,000 outpatient visits annually, excluding 155,000 non- emergency psychiatric visits.

About HSS, Inc.

HSS, Inc., headquartered in Hamden, Connecticut, specializes in medical intelligence software for coding, reimbursement and profiling of healthcare services to help the industry understand and improve its techniques for managing the finance and delivery of medical care. For more information about HSS products and services, contact HSS' marketing department at 800.999.DRGS (3747) or visit the Web at www.hssweb.com.